Taiwan Travel Diary: Navigating Immigration and Airport Adventures

I had an amazing vacation in Taiwan with my mom last April 23rd-27th and I wanted to pay it forward by sharing our experience as a guide.

First things first, let's talk about our immigration experience. Like most of us, I was a bit worried since I didn't have a company ID or an ITR. Plus, I was on a tight budget, so showing off a lot of money wasn't an option. But, I did my research and knew I had enough.

Here's what I prepared before the flight:

• Original passport (at least 6 months valid)
• Return flight tickets with travel insurance (you know, just in case of any travel mishaps)
• Proof of accommodation (a printed reservation from Booking.com did the trick, even though it wasn't paid yet)

To show my financial capabilities, I printed out:

• Bank statement (downloaded from my online bank)
• COE (my HR specified my travel dates and expected return to work date)
• Payrolls (2 months' worth to back up my COEs and bank statement)
• Detailed travel itinerary (from Day 0 to 5)
• Some cash in dollars (easier to exchange with a better rate)
• Debit and credit cards approved for international transactions (a quick call to the bank sorted that out)

At immigration, here are the questions they asked:

• IO: Saan punta? (Where are you going?)
• IO: Ilang araw? (How many days?)
• IO: Anong reason? (What's the reason for your trip?)
• IO: Sinong kasama? (Who are you traveling with?)
• IO: Anong trabaho? (What's your occupation?)
• IO: ​Work from home? So walang company ID? Patingin ng COE? (Working from home? No company ID? Show me your COE)
• It turns out they're aware of the WFH setup, so that was a relief.

Boom! Done! Now, if you thought my experience was smooth like butter, wait till you hear about my mom's:

• IO: Saan punta? (Where are you going?)
• IO: Sinong kasama? (Who are you with?) She just pointed at me and confidently said, "My child."

She practically got away with just those questions. Turns out, the rumor is true—it's easier to get through when you're with family. Kudos to the hardworking immigration officers!

Just be confident when talking to the IOs. Remember, they're just doing their job to protect Filipinos from human trafficking. Those horror stories we've heard? I feel bad for those cases, but I hope they're isolated incidents.

Before I wrap this up, let me share the airport process:

1. Self-check-in (online or at the ATM near the check-in counter, do it at least 3-4 hours before your boarding time)
2. eTravel QR code (get it online, both for departure from and arrival to the Philippines; have your passport details and vaccine ID handy)
3. Travel tax payment (you can pay when you book your flight or over-the-counter with cash, debit, or credit card)
4. Check-in counter (they'll weigh your baggage, remember the 7kg limit for hand-carry)
5. Immigration booth (just wait in line, stay patient, IOs are people too)
6. Final security check (baggage scan and pat-down)
7. Flight boarding (a surreal feeling right there)
8. Departure

While on the plane:

1. Fill out the arrival form (you'll be given one for your destination country)

Upon arrival:

1. Immigration (a different IO will check your passport)
2. Currency exchange
3. Klook pocket Wi-Fi

Thank you, and I hope this helps! I'm actually working on a blog about our DIY travel, so I'll be sure to share it here too.

Budget Wise: Pinto Art Museum x DaeYang Korean Restaurant

If you are looking for a weekend gateway near Manila, Pinto Art Museum and a side trip to DaeYang Korean Restaurant is what I can recommend for you.

To start with, Pinto Art Museum is located at 1 Sierra Madre St. Grand Heights, Antipolo, Rizal while DaeYang Korean Restaurant is located at Vargas Building, Kalayaan Avenue, Central. It may seem that the two destinations are far from one another but there’s an easy route for that, so, don’t worry!

Pinto Art Museum is a 1.3 hectare property with both indoor and outdoor ambiance. (Perfect for awra pictures!) It can take at least 2 to 3-hour tour just to make sure to visit all the galleries in the museum. Yes, it is exhausting, not to mention that food and drinks are not allowed within the vicinity since they have their own cafeteria called Café Rizal. Well, that is the point of having a side trip to DaeYang Korean Restaurant where you can literally eat a whole cow (or a pig)! For as low as P333 per person, you can have unlimited plates of plain pork belly, unlimited side dishes, unlimited kimchi soup and unlimited rice. Samgyeopsal buffet it is!

Without further ado, here is the summary report of our travel. Kaja!

Travel time: 1-2 hours commute

How to get there: via public transportation
     P50     from Araneta (in front of Farmers Market), ride a van going to Antipolo Church
     P50     from Antipolo Church, ride a trike going to Pinto Art Museum (capacity of 4)
                 **********
     P50     from Pinto Art Museum, ride a trike going back Antipolo Church (capacity of 4)
     P50     from Antipolo Church, ride a van going back to Araneta. Drop off at Alimall
       P8     from Alimall, ride a jeep going to Fairview, Lagro or Francisco. Drop off at Kalayaan Plaza
                 and just look for DaeYang Korean Restaurant across the street, just right beside the highway

PINTO ART MUSEUM
Address: 1 Sierra Madre St. Grand Heights, Antipolo, Rizal

Operational Hours: Tues-Sun, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Contact Info: (02) 697 1015
Email Address: pintoartmuseum@yahoo.com

Admission Fees: as of February 2017
     P200 - regular ticket
     P180 - senior citizens and PWD with valid IDs
     P100 - children and students with proper school IDs
     Free for children below 3 years old

Guided Tour Schedule:
     09:00 am - 11:00 am
     12:00 nn - 02:00 pm
     02:00 pm - 04:00 pm
     04:30 pm - 06:00 pm

Need to Know:
     ·  No food and drinks allowed
     ·  Camera flash not allowed
     ·  Bag packs are not allowed but there is a baggage counter
     ·  Washrooms are available but no changing of clothes/costumes
     ·  No props allowed 
     ·  They accept photo-shoots, just call the hotline above for booking and more info
     ·  Approximately 2-3 hours tour, a map will be provided

DAEYANG KOREAN RESTAURANT
Address: Vargas Building, Kalayaan Avenue, Central

Operational Hours: Mon-Sun, 10 am to 9 pm

Menu:
     P333 - plain pork (samgyeopsal)
     P399 - plain pork and marinated pork (samgyeopsal and galbi)
     (We were unable to take a photo of the menu)

Need to Know:
     ·  Each member of a group must have the same order.
     ·  Unli rice, side dishes and kimchi soup
     ·  Perfect para sa madaming gutom

Just to share, my elementary friends and I gathered at 10 am and dispersed at 8 pm. Ahahaha! It’s been almost 4 years since we met and just recently, one of my friends came back from abroad, the reason why we thoroughly planned this reunion. As for our meals, we had our light breakfast in Dunkin' Donuts, Araneta Center-Cubao Station. After hours of  roaming around the museum, we decided to have our late light lunch in Cafe Rizal (Pantawid gutom-we ate 12 small slices of pizza) before we leave and head to the Korean restaurant for the early dinner. It’s up to you on how you’ll budget your time. In our case, we managed to get to DaeYang Korean Restaurant at around 4 pm just to make sure we wouldn’t go home late. As per expenses, I, myself spent less than P800 for the trip. Happy feet and tummy! I believe we could save more if we took jeep instead of van. In any way, it’s still recommended for first timers. (We also had to make sure that we arrive fresh at the museum kase. Ahahaha!)

The following are some pictures taken at Pinto Art Museum. Not much because it's never my intention to spoil everyone. See the beauty of the art works and experience the nature yourselves. 

Unfortunately, I can only share one picture of DaeYang Korean Restaurant because we were starving to death when we came. We even forgot to take pictures of the menu and the foods to make everyone drool. I wonder, I've been visiting the restaurant since 2014 but it's just my first picture having the restaurant as my background (Chura! I was caught off guard. At least, perfect ang Korean heart sign. Ahahaha!)

The prices posted in front of the restaurant are outdated.
See the prices above.

Overall, we were able to enjoy our day together even though we were at the melting point. (Mainit bes! Ahahaha!) And yes, it was successful and I would like to share this to everyone. I hope this would help. Looking forward for more fun and tipid adventures. 

Potterheads Delight: The Nook Cafe

Have you ever read the Harry Potter books or even had a Harry Potter movie marathon before? Then, you may be one of the Potterheads out there. If you can't get enough, just grab your broomsticks (Accio broomsticks!) because The Nook Cafe is a must-visit for you.

Let me show you the magical journey of a Potterhead from the muggle world to the wizarding world of The Nook Cafe.

The Nook is open from 1pm to 10pm, located at 164-A Maginhawa Street, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City. Anyone can easily find the place, whether by a private car or by commute. If ever you need to commute, there are tricycle drivers waiting for you in Philcoa. They know the place inside out and it will only cost you 40.00 for a one-way ride. That's it, you'll be at the cafe with no sweat.

It is an exceptional two-story coffee house but not as big as you can imagine. That is one reason why it is a "first come, first serve" basis so better be early. Just to reiterate, it is better to go there as early as 12pm. That way, you'll be the first in line. Additionally, first comers will get the chance to stay on the second floor, which I could say, the most interesting part of the coffee house. Yes, it is, but I will tell more about that on the later part of this blog.

Never underestimate this coffee house just because it's small. It is definitely making a fortune because a lot of Potterheads are willing to wait outside just to be accommodated. I wonder what spell could they have cast to muggles just to go crazy like this?

Let's talk about the prices of their menu. Generally, it is affordable. I could say that it is a charming coffee house that will not cost you an arm and a leg. Believe me, 300.00 per head is more than enough. Here, I've taken a photo of of their whole menu. See it yourself.

The bestseller is Butterbeer which cost only 100.00 per glass. A beer that can never get you tipsy because it is super sweet and super delectable.

Butterbeer

Goyazilla

Cheese Potato Wedges

On the ground floor, there is the counter, the kitchen and the comfort room. You will also see Harry's bedroom under the stairs. You can take a peek and even take photos inside.

Collection and definitely not for sale

On the second floor, you will see the shop's book collection and other Harry Potter crafts. Hogwarts' wardrobe are available (Griffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw) . You can even fit them at no rental cost, take selfies whenever convenient for you. Amazing, isn't it? I am just looking for the sorting hat. Perhaps, they could have it someday.

Comfy hanging couch

The experience was great and memorable. Plus, the management has been very accommodating. You can stay there for as long as you want. Yes, there is no time limit. Speaking of staying at the shop, there are ways for you and your friends to kill time aside from chatting, taking pictures and reading books. You can borrow board games like chess, snake&ladders etc. It was our first time to play Guess Who? and it was a piece of cake.

The Nook is definitely one of the coffee house that you will visit and revisit with your friends and family.

So, what do you think Potterheads? Give it a shot and have some glass of butterbeer.  :)